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Benz Ebony TR or Lyra Kleos SL?

...or a custom 0.18mV Colibri XCW?
Some background, I have the old ARC Ref Phono that I've been running a custom H.O. Colibri XCP (1.0mV) into the MM input on. This because I found the previous = or less than 0.32mV cartrides I had to sound better into MM bypassing the Jensen SUTs in the MC input. From research I believe the reason to be that the SUT config might prefer carts of less than 5ohms or loading of ~100ohms. There might be other reasons, but I'm itching to revisit a LOMC and the 3 above are on my shortlist. The 3rd option (XCW) would have more than 15ohms resistance though, but VdH say they recommend ~100ohms thus its inclusion. Your thoughts?
vusi_khumalo
vusi_khumalo OP
72 posts
 
I am happy to keep the Ref Phono at this stage. I love its sound and it is quiet enough with NOS Tele E88CCs for a 0.32mV into MM. I find it as Dynamic as with the 1mV, just less noise. I have auditioned phonos up to 4x its price and some were better, but not enough for the $5000 more that I'd have to spend. Some didn't even have the Mono/Mute/Standby switches like the Ref. Anyway playing with carts is more economical and fun for me, thats until I can afford $7000 plus phonos. I do take all your input into consideration by the way. I'm just wondering if I can find a LOMC that's a good match for the Jensen SUTs to give the MC input another chance. This at approx $1000 upgrade cost on the Colibri.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
The best favor you can do to your ears is to go for an output which is right for your preamp. Benz has a good selection.
When you want to buy one of the carts above you need a SUT. There is a lot of inferior SUT's out there, most have bad datas and you can hear that. Unfortunately no one gives you a data sheet, you have to buy blind. Can be very frustrating. When you can afford a Kondo SF-z, that one is ok. Or try to find one of the older Fidelity Research units. Match its impedance with the impedance of the cartridge you want to use and that's it.
leicachamp
103 posts
 
Hi Syntax

Which Fidelity Research models have you tried/recommend?

Thanks
vusi_khumalo OP
72 posts
 
So in the end I went with a custom 0.18mV XCP instead of the XCW. Very very happy, beyond my expectations! Decision was mainly due to low cost and availability of the VdH. Went with plastic because some have been disappointed with wood's lack of bass slam etc. Also got comfort from an old review of a 0.17mV Colibri working well with the ARC Ref Phono. Thanks once again for your contributions.
vusi_khumalo OP
72 posts
 
Last week I received a Benz Ebony TR-S which I bought 2nd hand on 'gon.
Very impressed! With about 20hrs on the 3 things that the VdH still do better is instrument separation, dynamics and soundstage depth.
The Benz has more body and better tracking, its smoother and quieter in the groove. Somehow less hum and blacker background even though I need 2 clicks more on the volume control for similar SPL. So it is the 'opposite' that I was hoping it would be, and I feel it moves my journey along as I learn about optimising the analog chain.
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